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Biomedical subjects

B Vidal

Publications and source records attributed to B Vidal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Automatic voice recognition for radiologic reports. Experiment with a prototype in an operational environment].

Large vocabulary speech recognition, its techniques and its software and hardware technology, are being developed, aimed at providing the office user with a tool that could significantly improve both quantity and quality of his work: the dictation machine, which allows memos and documents to be input using voice and a microphone instead of fingers and a keyboard. The IBM Rome Science Center, together with the IBM Research Division, has built a prototype recognizer that accepts sentences in natural language from a 20,000-word Italian vocabulary. The unit runs on a personal computer equipped with a special hardware capable of giving all the necessary computing power. The first laboratory experiments yielded very interesting results and pointed out such system characteristics to make its use possible in operational environments. To this purpose, the dictation of medical reports was considered as a suitable application. In cooperation with the 2nd Radiology Department of S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital (Udine, Italy), a system was experimented by radiology department doctors during their everyday work. The doctors were able to directly dictate their reports to the unit. The text appeared immediately on the screen, and eventual errors could be corrected either by voice or by using the keyboard. At the end of report dictation, the doctors could both print and archive the text. The report could also be forwarded to hospital information system, when the latter was available. Our results have been very encouraging: the system proved to be robust, simple to use, and accurate (over 95% average recognition rate). The experiment was precious for suggestions and comments, and its results are useful for system evolution towards improved system management and efficiency.

Medical Records Systems, Computerized↗
PubMed1987

Co-localization and secretion of parathyrin of Stannius corpuscles (immunoreactive parathyroid hormone) and of secretory glycoproteins including secretory protein-I in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.).

Until recently, teleosts were considered to be devoid of parathyroids. We showed recently that the corpuscles of Stannius, that structurally have features in common with the parathyroid gland, produce a molecule resembling mammalian parathyroid hormone (PTH). We refer to this molecule as parathyrin of corpuscles of Stannius (PCS). Parathyroid secretory protein-I (SP-I) is an acidic glycoprotein, probably identical to adrenal chromogranin A, that is co-stored and co-secreted with PTH. In the present study, PCS was localized in secretory granules of fresh water eels by immunocytochemistry. In addition, several glycoproteins were identified in these granules by periodic acid-Schiff staining and/or concanavalin A lectin binding. One of the glycoproteins that was positive with periodic acid-Schiff, but not with concanavalin A, cross-reacted with antisera to bovine parathyroid secretory protein-I. When the eels were made hypercalcemic by injecting calcium or pituitary extract, there was a coincidental translocation of the PCS, immunoreactive SP-I and the glycoproteins, suggestive that these granules were undergoing exocytosis. Immunoblot analysis of saline extract of the corpuscles of Stannius confirmed that immunoreactive SP-I was present in the tissue. It exhibited a molecular mass of about 55 kDa compared to about 70-80 kDa exhibited by mammalian SP-I when analyzed by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Tricuspid endocarditis. Value of echocardiography. Developmental data. Apropos of 11 cases].

Clinical and echocardiographic data of 11 patients with tricuspid valve endocarditis (TE) were analysed to determine diagnostic criteria and to study the outcome of this condition. The study population comprised 6 men and 5 women (average age 38.4 +/- 18 years). TE was the only lesion in 9 cases; there was 1 case of associated pulmonary and aortic valve endocarditis, and in the other patient mitral and aortic valve endocarditis was also present. Five patients were heroin addicts. In 5 cases, the causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical presentation was usually atypical with a systolic murmur rarely characteristic in 9 patients and signs of right ventricular failure in only 3 patients. On the other hand, 8 patients had one or more episodes of acute pneumonia or typical pulmonary embolism. The diagnosis was established by echocardiography which demonstrated the valvular vegetations. The outcome was favourable in 10 patients, only one of whom required surgical intervention. Two dimensional echocardiography provided valuable information about the evolution of the valvular vegetations, frequently showing regression after medical therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Immunocytochemical detection in eel corpuscles of Stannius of a mammalian parathyroid-like hormone.

Stannius corpuscles of the eel synthesize and secrete a mammalian parathyroid-like hormone called parathyrin of CS (PCS). PCS has been localized in the cytoplasm of all cells in the corpuscles, detection being by indirect immunofluorescence with an antiserum anti-1-84 bovine hormone (PTH). The specificity of the reaction was demonstrated by inhibition of the fluorescent staining with 1-84 bovine PTH and the active fragment 1-34 of human PTH. Variations of the cellular localization of the PCS or a complete depletion of the hormonal content, in all cells, were observed in eels made hypercalcemic by Ca overloading. The secretory activity of the two types of CS cells may be regulated by the plasma Ca2+ concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Are Stannius corpuscles the parathyroid glands of teleost fishes? Ultrastructural, cytologic and immunocytochemical arguments].

Parathyrin of Stannius corpuscles (PCS), glands which are restricted to Holostei and Teleostei, is closely related to mammalian parathyrin (PTH) secreted by the parathyroids [( 6] to [9]). In unstimulated and stimulated CS we have shown the same structure and cellular types that are described in mammalian parathyroids. We observed three types of cells; the two sorts of cells already described [14] present such a difference of density (Fig. 1) that type I may be compared to chief dark cells and type II to chief light cells. The difference between these two forms was particularly marked in activated CS; a similar observation has been reported concerning PT [15]. Furthermore, we have detected a third type of cell present either singly in unactivated CS or in small groups between chief cells in activated CS. They showed all the characteristics of oxyphil cells [17]; they present an extremely dense cytoplasm with numerous mitochondria and a typical stellate form with cytoplasmic processes extending between chief cells (Figs. 2, 3). In CS of untreated eels, we have shown by means of indirect immunocytology (using an immunserum raised against the active fragment 1-34 bPTH) that the immunostained reaction product was limited to dilated cisternae and ribosomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and to most of the granules in all the chief cells (Figs. 4, 5). No immunoreaction was observed in Golgi area. Oxyphil cells did not present an immune localization of PCS. CS are structurally and cytologically similar to mammalian PT; furthermore their chief cells synthesize, stock and secrete a substance immunologically similar to mammalian PTH; the exact function of oxyphil cells has to be demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Evidence for the presence of osseous tissue in dogfish vertebrae.

The calcified cartilage of the dogfish vertebra has been studied by means of an undecalcified hard tissue method, including microradiography and tetracycline labelling, and electron microscopy. The transversely sectioned vertebra shows a centrum and neural and hemal arches. The mineralized area consists of a narrow but continuous band, which touches the perichondrium, and is formed by chondrocytes that participate in the mineralizaton of the surrounding matrix. The neural arches appear quite different; the upper parts contain an hypertrophied cartilage and, close to it, an inner zone formed by crescent shaped lamellar bone tissue containing osteoblasts and osteocytes. Tetracycline labelling of these two types of hard tissue reveals a globular calcification with calcospherites and Liesegang rings, at the level of the calcified cartilage, and a strong and linear label of the inner border of the osseous tissue. Transmission electron microscopy shows Type I collagen in the crescent shape area and Type II collagen in calcified cartilage area. The presence of osseous tissue in elasmobranch endoskeleton is discussed in relation to the evolution of the gnathostomes skeleton and the endocrinological control of calcium metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Immunocytochemical detection in Stannius corpuscles of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) of a hormone similar to the mammalian parathyroid hormone].

In eels the parathyrin of the corpuscles of Stannius (PCS), mammalian parathyroid-like hormone, has been localized in the cytoplasm of all the cells in the corpuscles. This detection was done by indirect immunofluorescence with an antiserum anti 1-84 bovine parathormone. The specificity of the reaction was demonstrated by inhibition of the coloration obtained with the 1-84 bovine parathormone and the active fragment 1-34 of human parathormone. Variations of the cellular localization of the PCS or a complete depletion of the hormonal content were observed in eels made hypercalcaemic by calcium overloading.

Anguilla↗
PubMed1981

[Demonstration of bone tissue in the axial skeleton of a chondrichthian: the dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula)].

Dogfish vertebra have been studied by means of an undecalcified hard tissue method, including microradiography and tetracycline labelling. The transversal section of Dogfish vertebra shows a centrum and two couples of neural and hemal arches. The mineralized area consists of a narrow but continuous band, just against the perichondrium, formed by chondrocytes that participate in the surrounding matrix mineralization. The neural arches appear quite different: the upper parts contain hypertrophied cartilage and, close to it, the inner zones are formed by a crescent-shaped lamellar bone containing osteoblasts and osteocytes. A tetracycline label of these two types of hard tissue reveals a globular calcification with calcospherites and Liesegang rings, at the level of calcified cartilage and a strong and linear label of the inner border of the osseous tissue. The presence of osseous tissue in Elasmobranch endoskeleton is discussed in relation to, on one hand the evolution of the Gnathostomes skeleton and on an other hand the endocrinological point of view of calcium metabolism regulation in this group.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[The phalanges. Notes on the radiographic semeiology of osseous metabolism].

The hand, and the phalanges in particular, offer a privileged observation ground for the study of some features of bone metabolism. An account is given of the cell alterations from which the various disturbances associated with osteogenesis and osteolysis can be recognized, particular attention being devoted to changes in bone density, cortex thickness, and the structure of the spongy substance. Evaluation of these three parameters will lead to the recognition of porosis, malacia, hyperosteolysis, and osteomyelosclerosis. When combined with certain clinical and laboratory data, the findings can readily be used to reach an exact diagnosis.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed1980

Paradoxical effect of 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol on osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in the skeleton of the eel Anguilla anguilla L.

Female mature eels (300 to 500 g) received one intraperitoneal injection of 1.25(OH)2D3 (10 microgram). Their vertebral bone was compared, 8 h and 24 h after the injection, with vertebral bone of control mature female eels receiving solvent alone (ethanol). Sexual maturation in female eels induces a bone decalcification with hypercalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. The control eels showed marked osteoclastic resorption and osteocytic osteolysis and the degree of mineralization of the intercellular substance decreased. Injection of 1.25 (OH)2D3 into these female mature eels provoked as early as 8 h: 1) an increase in hypercalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia; 2) a major conversion of lining cells to osteoblasts and a stimulation of osteoblastic activity with new bone formation; 3) diminished osteoclastic resorption without changing osteocytic osteolysis or bone matrix mineralization.

Anguilla↗
PubMed1980

Liver storage iron in normal population of Cuba.

One hundred sixty-one liver specimens from subjects who died acute traumatic deaths were studied. Of these, 127 came from male subjects and 34 from female subjects. The liver storage iron values of subjects in the persent study dying acutely from traumas and the differences found are in agreement with those expected according to the iron physiological needs and the prevalence of anemia reported by this cause in the world. This substantiates that the study of nonheme iron contents in subjects who died acute traumatic deaths is a good method for assessing iron nutritional status in a population. It is interesting to note the significant increase of hepatic storage iron found in men 61 to 70 years old, although it would be important to increase the number of cases to obtain more representative data. Liver storage iron in the Cuban population is not essentially different from that reported in the United States, Sweden, and Australia and the deficiency percentage is one of the lowest in Latin America.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[Unilateral alveolar effusions (author's transl)].

The unilateral alveolar effusions can be divided into two groups: those which take place in an already diseased lung (ipsilateral), and those which take place in the healthy one (contralateral). Starting from the most recent literature, the causes of the two different radiological features are discussed. Some cases of alveolar effusions, both ipsilateral and contralateral, are reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[When cholangiocholecystography should and should not be performed].

Little-know contraindications for i.v. cholangiocholecystography with water-soluble hexaiodated contrast media are presented. Particular reference is made to suspected cholecystic lithiasis and dysprotidaemic patients or those undergoing treatment with sulphamides, salicylic acid, barbiturates, etc. Lastly, reference is made to the suitability of cholegraphy in suspected acute cholecystitis. Here, in fact, this method is preferable to oral cholecystography.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗